Swahili
alfafa
ahl-FAH-fah
How to say it
Swahilialfafaahl-FAH-fahsoon
Englishcircumcision clothsoon
Frenchpagne de circoncisionsoon
Meaning
a cloth wrapped around the waist to protect and cover the wound after a circumcision ceremony.
Good to know
used specifically in the context of the traditional circumcision ceremony (jando).
Examples
- Mvulana alivaa alfafa baada ya jando.The boy wore the alfafa cloth after his circumcision.
- Mama alimshonea mwanawe alfafa.The mother sewed her son an alfafa cloth.
- Alfafa lazima libadilishwe kila siku.The alfafa cloth must be changed every day.
- Hawakuwa na alfafa ya kutosha.They did not have enough alfafa cloths.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.